How To Care for Artificial Christmas Trees
Artificial Christmas trees don’t require watering and pruning, but they still need your attention. Here are some general Christmas tree care tips to preserve the beauty of your lifelike evergreen:
- Set up your tree in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight.
- While the tree is on display, lightly dust its tips at least once a week to prevent build-up. You can use a dense fiber duster or a clean, dry cloth. Be careful as you work around the lights.
- Avoid spraying water, soap, vinegar, or other cleaning agents which may affect the quality of your tree and void its warranty.
- Before storing your tree for the off-season, make sure to clean it properly following the cleaning guide below.
- Place your tree in a durable storage bag. Balsam Hill Christmas trees come with their own storage bags for easy handling. Seal and zip them securely before stowing to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt.
- Store your tree in a cool, dry location to protect from moisture and musty odor.
Insider's Tip
Simplify your storage process with Balsam Hill’s premium Christmas tree storage bags. These collapsible bags feature rolling wheels for effortless transport.
How To Clean Artificial Christmas Trees
It’s important to clean your artificial Christmas tree regularly to remove layers of dust that may accumulate during the holiday season and beyond. Read our tips on how to clean an artificial Christmas tree with or without lights:
How To Clean Your Christmas Tree Before Decorating
- Carefully remove your tree from its box or storage bag. Assemble it following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Starting from the top, wipe the branches, trunk, and base with a soft, dry cloth or a fiber duster. For pre-lit trees , be careful as you go through each light bulb.
- If your tree is unlit, you can clean it with a vacuum with an upholstery bristle brush or crevice attachment. Test a section at the tree's base first, ensuring the vacuum can safely clean the dirt off the branches without damaging the tree. You can also use a hand vacuum for lighter suction and easier control.
- Clean up the entire area with a vacuum before you start fluffing and decorating your tree.
How To Clean Your Christmas Tree Before Storage
- Unplug lights from the wall and remove all decorations from your tree.
- For pre-lit trees, wipe branches with a clean, dry cloth. Start from the top and gently work your way around the light bulbs.
- If your tree is unlit, you can give it a quick sweep with a vacuum using the upholstery bristle brush or crevice attachment. Make sure to test a section at the base of the tree first to check if it can safely clean the branches without damage.
- Dismantle the tree according to the instructions. Compress all branches carefully and ensure that the branches and lights are not stressed unnecessarily.
How To Care for and Clean a White Christmas Tree
Dust and dirt are easily visible on a white Christmas tree. Keep your white tree spotless by cleaning and storing it properly after every season.
- Follow the general care tips mentioned above.
- After cleaning, place your tree inside its storage container. If you want to go the extra mile to prevent dirt, wrap your tree in clean white paper before storing it.
- Avoid using water and other cleaning agents on your tree as these may invalidate the product warranty. Learn more about our warranty policy.
- Consider using multicolored lights and ornaments to mask any persistent stains on your white Christmas tree.
How To Make a White Christmas Tree White Again
If your tree becomes discolored in storage, there are still ways to bring back its beauty. Here are some tips on how to clean a white Christmas tree that’s turned yellow.
- Check the care instructions that came with your tree. Otherwise, the safest option is to reach out to the customer service team of your tree manufacturer.
- Leave out your tree in direct sunlight for a few hours. If the discoloration is subtle, a bit of sun can be enough to bleach the stains out and return the tree to its former glory. Note that this can be most easily done during the sunnier days of spring or summer.
- If sunshine alone doesn’t do the trick, mix three parts white vinegar with one part water in a large spray bottle and spritz it on the affected branches of your tree. Then, leave your tree in direct sunlight for at least 12 hours. The vinegar will react with the sunlight and help bleach the branches back to white.
A word of caution on cleaning methods: most stores void the warranty when a Christmas tree is intentionally altered or damaged due to misuse. Don’t bleach your tree while it’s still under warranty.
How To Care for And Clean Frosted Christmas Trees
Frosted trees require a different kind of care from your traditional Christmas trees. There’s no need to dust as this may damage the flocking material. Here’s how to clean a flocked Christmas tree.
- Set up your tree in a cool, dry place away from humidity and direct heat.
- Avoid unnecessary contact with the branches and tips to prevent excess shedding. Note that light shedding is normal for frosted trees.
- Before storing, gently compress the branches of your tree.
- Place your tree in a secure storage bag to lessen contact between seasons and keep the flocking material intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of your most asked questions about cleaning and caring for artificial Christmas trees.
What Is the Best Way To Clean Artificial Christmas Trees?
The best way to clean a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree is with a soft, dry cloth or fiber duster. Start from the top and work your way down, careful not to dislodge bulbs from their sockets. If your tree is unlit, you can use a vacuum with an upholstery bristle brush or crevice attachment.
How To Disinfect a Christmas Tree?
We don’t recommend hosing down or washing your artificial Christmas tree as this could damage the foliage or light connections and may void your warranty. Some people use a mild soap or disinfectant diluted in water to gently wipe down the branch tips, but always defer to your tree manufacturer’s recommendations to keep your tree safe and looking its best.
How Do You Make an Artificial Christmas Tree Smell Good?
The best way to get rid of the musty odor from your artificial Christmas tree is to air it out on your covered porch or patio for a few days. Be careful not to leave it out too long, especially under direct sunlight, as this may cause the foliage’s color to fade. If you want to mimic the smell of fresh evergreens, try placing a fragrance diffuser or scent machine with Christmas-themed scents in the same room as your Christmas tree.
We hope this guide gave you helpful tips on how to clean and care for your artificial Christmas tree so you can enjoy its beauty for many holidays to come.
Learn More About Christmas Trees
For more tips on how to care for your seasonal decorations, visit the links below.